ACV & Poly Vi SOl

[OrpingtonHopeful]

Hey all,

I have read a lot about ACV on BYC and so have been adding 1 tsp of organic/unfiltered with mother ACV to a qt of water in my waterer for the last several days-because we had some pasty vents in the 1st week-

Is this something you do every day as just routine maintenance? Or something that should only be done for a few days at a time or on some schedule (quarterly, biannually?)

Also my 4 chicks are 2 weeks old, feathering nicely, etc but I have been reading a lot about adding poly vi sol (no iron) to their water.

I want to be sure I am giving them the best start- Do you use poly vi sol as an occassional tonic, every day, only with signs of illness?

How much would you add to the water for the entire flock? (per qt or per gallon?) For how many days?

Can you add poly vi sol and ACV at the same time or will one interfere with the other (alternate them?)

I see all these illnesses posted in the Emergency forum and it's freaking me out so I want to be sure I am doing as much preventatively as humanly possible.

Thank you once again for indulging all my crazy questions!

 

[nwgirl]

I know exactly how you feel. I believe chickens are fairly hardly though, but it is definitely overwhelming to read about all the diseases.

Add the ACV every day. Use the kind with the "Mother" in it. Its very healthy, but regular ACV isn't the same. I buy a brand called BRAGG found in the health food section of the grocery store.

I wish I could comment on the POLYVISOL. Hopefully someone here with more experience can help.

 

[Equus5O]

Quote:
So my using the gallon jug of supermarket vinegar is a waste of vinegar? Great ..... LOL

 

[SMan]

I used them together with no ill effects 1/2 tbs per quart and .5ml, I did this for 3 weeks (then just ACV) and 3 drops a day for another week directly to my littlest chick. They do 2 different things so I see no reason they should interfere one adds possible missing vitamins and one creates/introduces good bacteria to the gut. I think I will add Polyvisol on occasionto combat any stressors etc.


As for normal ACV I don't believe it has the same bacteria, but it will keep your water clean. I use this to clean my (SMALL) pond 1 gallon a year clears it right up and doesn't hurt the frogs like the time I used bleach did.

 

[ging3rhoffman]

You know what i wish? I wish someone would give us newbies a quick simple list of what to do:

Example: Worming Schedule

6 weeks old give_________

12 weeks old give________ and so on.




Example: To stay lice & mite free do this:


At least for the sake of the poor chickens that are in the
hands of ignorant folk.

 

[OrpingtonHopeful]

Quote:
Agreed- It would be a most benevolent gift to us newbies!!!

Well, maybe we can use this thread to compile our own- I have been taking notes in a book when I read these threads- here ias what I have jotted down so far...

I have read on here that 3TBSP cayenne pepper per gallon of feed daily for life will prevent worms-

I have also read that mixing food grade DE (diatomaceous earth (sp?) less than 2% in their feed and dusting their nesting boxes and coop bedding occassionally will solve mite problems and also worms?

For pasted vent:
the ACV daily- 2 TBSP/gallon
or Molasses mixed in the water til it looks like weak tea for 2 days

Coccidosis:
4 days til death results, symptoms bloody or rusty poop, ruffled humpted up, shaking, shivering

tx with Corid (concentrated Amprolium), not Sulmet (because Sulmet does not clear well and eggs are not ok to eat for longer), Also give Probios or Fastrack- Vitamins in water..

Reg Feed & Maintenance-

Chick Starter for 3-4 months
Grower til laying
then layer rations thereafter

Otherwise I wonder as you do, if there is a routine maintenance schedule someone could post.

Anyone else care to add or correct my notes??

Best wishes all!

 

[ging3rhoffman]

Thank you. I made a copy of that. I will check back to see if anyone has added to your list. Thats so great, i will go pick up everything i need and have it on hand. I still wonder at what age you start the worming and i also wonder about the cayenne pepper...can they really eat that and not feel like their heads are going to explode...all that heat! They will be running around on fire.

Maybe its okay to use.

 

[OrpingtonHopeful]

Quote:
I agree- I wondered if it would flavor their eggs?

Our TSC did not have DE, or the Cocci treatments- I wanna ck my mom & pop feed store (which I prefer to shop at anyway) otherwise I am wondering where most of the BYC flock gets it's supplies-

There are a lot of threads on compiling emergency supply kits- I will see about searching them and if I find a comprehensive one, I'll post the link here.

 

[OrpingtonHopeful]

Oooh Check this out!

http://backyardchickens.yuku.com/topic/6695/t/Items-for-Chicken-First-Aide-Box.html

 

[ging3rhoffman]

Holy Cow, i hope i dont need all that stuff. I created a short cut to my desktop. I think i will check my medicine cabinet to see what i already have, then maybe buy a handful of things a week.

I didnt know chickens were going to be like kids..

Thanks for the post.